There are easy and simple ways that you can choose in your journey to living an eco-friendlier life. You may not see yourself as the best eco-warrior on the planet, but every small step helps. Making more sustainable and healthier choices is key to building a more environmentally friendly life.
There is hope for our planet and future generations if you try to incorporate the latest mantra into your lifestyle: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot. Simply defined, living sustainably is a method of reducing one’s “carbon footprint”, and this can be done in several easy-to-adopt ways.
Choose Wisely: Less Packaging Equals Less Waste
One of the simplest ways to make your life eco-friendlier is to eliminate unnecessary packaging. Make educated decisions because the less packaging you buy, the less waste you produce. Do your shopping at farmers’ markets and cooperatives in the neighborhood. Home delivery is another way that you can help the planet. Instead of 10 cars going to the store, one van drives around making deliveries. It also means you’re less inclined to buy on impulse, which can help reduce food waste. Choose organic wherever possible. You may be surprised to learn that in many cases, these items work out to be more cost-effective. Even when purchasing coffee pods, there are organic options available. Glorybrew offers capsules that are 100% compostable and include Fairtrade certified coffee. You can take this a step further by buying in bulk. Another way to be eco-friendlier!
When shopping, use reusable bags, avoid single-use items (like straws), and avoid anything made of or packaged in plastic as much as possible. Whenever possible, buy in bulk and recycle any packaging you can’t avoid, such as plastic boxes and trays.
Ways To Be Water Wise
Avoid buying bottled water. Consider reusable bottles – have these refilled. Also, fitting a filter to your kitchen tap can assist. Other ways to be water-wise include switching to low-flow showerheads, faucets, and toilets to save water and money. Keep plumbing facilities well-maintained.
If you are fortunate enough to have a garden, make the most of it. Growing your own food will not only save you money but lessen your carbon footprint too. After all, moving your vegetables from the garden to the kitchen doesn’t necessitate the use of a truck! Using a greywater system and installing a composting system in your kitchen will allow you to use all your trash to feed and nourish your plants while saving water and money.
Wise Habits to Adopt
Reduce your mileage to go green. Unless you’re driving an electric vehicle, driving isn’t very eco-friendly. Changing your driving habits can help you cut your carbon impact significantly. Whenever possible, walk, cycle, carpool, or take public transportation. Combine errands to save time and money. Regular tune-ups and tire inflations are also vital to keep your car in good shape which in turn improves fuel efficiency.
Similarly, maintaining your home improves your energy efficiency in the same way. Make sure your home is well-insulated and has energy-efficient windows. Use a programmed thermostat for more efficient heating and cooling. Many states now provide financial incentives to help you go green.
One of the most important things you can do to lessen your carbon footprint is to conserve energy. Leaving your appliances on standby is a waste of electricity — turn them off or even unplug them and you’ll notice a tremendous difference, most notably in your energy bills!
LED energy-saving light bulbs are not only more efficient than traditional lights, but they also last longer. This means you’ll use less energy and can replace your light bulbs less frequently, which is a win-win situation for everyone. Furthermore, they come in a variety of brightness and style options, allowing you to customize the lighting to your needs of the environment.
Some approaches take more time and effort to apply, while others are relatively straightforward. With a little imagination and determination, you can easily live an eco-friendlier life.
